My 10 favourite songs by Chicago

"Beginnings" (from Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

Robert Lamm wrote and sung this ballad for their first album. He writes in the liner notes to The Best of Chicago (2007) that it came about after hearing Richie Havens play in a club one night. Robert was so taken with the acoustic guitar sound that it motivated him to write lyrics to a song that didn't rhyme. I believe it resulted in one of the group's most affecting love songs. "Beginnings" topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart when reissued in 1971.

"Make Me Smile" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

Sung by their late, great guitarist Terry Kath, it is the first movement of the epic "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" piece composed by their trombonist, James Pankow. The version most people are probably familiar with is the edited single version, which I like just as much as the longer album track. "Make Me Smile" became Chicago's first major hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

"25 or 6 to 4" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

I think most people who listen to rock music know this song. Robert wrote this song about writing a song. Though Peter Cetera sings lead, Terry lends a lengthy guitar solo that makes it a classic. Chicago re-recorded "25 or 6 to 4" (sans Terry and Peter) in 1986 (for Chicago 18) and 2009. The original reached #4 on Billboard in 1970.

"Saturday in the Park" (from Chicago V, 1972)

Written and sung by Robert, the park in question is Central Park in New York City. He wrote it based on the images he filmed of people in the park. Its euphoric nature makes it easy to understand why it gets performed at all of their concerts. The crowd goes wild every time it's performed!

"Feelin' Stronger Every Day" (from Chicago VI, 1973)

Peter and James composed this uplifting rocker for their sixth album. The second half of the song is very catchy and it always leaves me feeling joyful, even when I’m down.

"(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" (from Chicago VII, 1974)

I think this song represents one of their most spiritual moments on record. James wrote it to describe the inner peace he felt at the time. I have a hunch they all felt the same way collectively, since they were churning out one hit album and single after another during their mid-70s peak.

"If You Leave Me Now" (from Chicago X, 1976)

This is the monster ballad in Chicago’s catalogue that put them on the map internationally, so to speak. This last-minute addition to their 10th album propelled Peter and the group to gain a wider audience, and eventually led their transition from album-oriented rock to the adult contemporary market. The song topped charts in several countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.

"Hard Habit to Break" (from Chicago 17, 1984)

This very dramatic ballad is one that I think a lot of people can relate to. Peter and Bill Champlin each give soulful and heartfelt deliveries in a song composed by outside writers. Incidentally, their 17th album is Peter’s last before going solo full-time.

"If She Would Have Been Faithful..." (from Chicago 18, 1986)

One of the more original-sounding love songs I’ve heard, it is performed by Bill and Jason Scheff, the tenor singer and bass player who replaced Peter in 1985. The song has irony in that the title suggests it's going to be melancholy, when it's really about a guy celebrating the new love he found. It therefore makes the break-up of his previous relationship a blessing in disguise.

"Love Will Come Back" (from Chicago XXX, 2006)

I love this song which barely got noticed when released in 2006. The original version from their 30th album features a guest appearance from country group Rascal Flatts. Though it is good, the version I like more is the one with Chicago by themselves. You can find this recording on The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition, album XXXI (31) in their official canon.

My favourite Chicago songs with Terry Kath

Terry Kath (1946-1978)

Terry Kath was the original guitarist of Chicago, one of my all-time favourite bands. It was 34 years ago today that the world lost one of rock's greatest musicians, singers and bandleaders in a freakish accident. He performed on the group's first 11 albums between 1969 and 1977.

Here are some of my favourite Terry Kath moments with Chicago:

"I'm a Man" (from Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

The guys take a classic Steve Winwood/Spencer Davis Group tune and make it completely their own. Terry makes it sound almost like heavy metal with his aggressive guitar solos, combined with Danny Seraphine's frantic drumming. It also provides a rare opportunity to hear Terry share a lead vocal with fellow leads Peter Cetera and Robert Lamm.


"South California Purples" (from Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

Written and sung by Robert, what makes this avant-garde piece stand out for me is Terry's guitar riffs. It even includes a quote from the Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" near the end.

"Make Me Smile" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

This is without a doubt one of my all-time favourite Chicago songs. Sung by Terry, it is the first movement of the epic "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" piece (it's also home to the classic "Colour My World"). The version most people are probably familiar with is the edited single version, which I like just as much as the longer album track. "Make Me Smile" became Chicago's first major hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"25 or 6 to 4" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

I think most people who listen to rock music know this song. Though Peter sings lead, Terry lends a lengthy guitar solo during the instrumental break that makes the song a classic. If you aren't familiar with this song, I recommend you hear it in all its glory from the album itself. It's better than the edited single version because it cuts out most of the guitar solo.

"Dialogue, Parts 1 & 2" (from Chicago V, 1972)

The song consists of a musical social/political debate between Terry and Peter that ends in a celebratory chant ("We can make it happen"). Terry's singing and guitar playing keep the momentum chugging along.

"Byblos" (from Chicago VII, 1974)

Terry wrote and sang this intriguing story about an encounter he had with a woman at a club called Byblos. This allegedly occurred while the band was in Tokyo. I consider this track to be one of Chicago's greatest non-hits.

"Oh, Thank You Great Spirit" (from Chicago VIII, 1975)

This is Terry's homage to Jimi Hendrix, who was one of his major influences. Hendrix toured with Chicago in 1969, and told Terry personally that he played the guitar better than him.

"Hope For Love" (from Chicago X, 1976)

One of Terry's tender and haunting ballads, he sings it with deep passion and conviction that evokes some of Ray Charles' soulful numbers. You can hear the Ray Charles influence rub off on Terry in this recording.

"Mississippi Delta City Blues" (from Chicago XI, 1977)

Originally performed live during Chicago's concerts in 1972, Terry took this song to the studio for their 11th album. It is a rocker that opens the album, which sadly would be his last. An early demo version of this song is available as a bonus track on Rhino's 2002 reissue of Chicago V.

"Little One" (from Chicago XI, 1977)

The closing number from the same album acts as a bookend to it. Written by Danny for his two young daughters, I used to believe that it was written for Terry to sing to his one daughter. It is a beautiful song, though it sometimes makes for an emotional listen knowing that it was one of the last songs he ever recorded. He died about four months after the album's release, just one week shy of his 32nd birthday.

Honourable mentions: "Free Form Guitar" (from CTA), "Colour My World," "In the Country" (both from Chicago II), "Wishin' You Were Here" (from Chicago VII) and "Tell Me" (solo recording from the 1973 film Electra Glide in Blue).

Last week I read exciting news that his daughter Michelle has received enough donations from fans to work on a documentary film about her father's life. It is tentatively titled Searching for Terry. Hopefully it will finally give Terry his place as one of rock's greatest performers.